The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
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Chest pain can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like chest pain here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here chest pain is often associated with abdominal pain, dizziness and amenorrhea in the pattern “Qi And Blood Stagnation”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause chest pain.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of chest pain we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat chest pain.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause chest pain
In Chinese Medicine chest pain is a symptom for 5 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) is the king ingredient for Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a formula used for Qi And Blood Stagnation
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Deep (Chen), Fine (Xi)
In addition to chest pain, other symptoms associated with Qi And Blood Stagnation include abdominal pain, dizziness and amenorrhea.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Qi And Blood Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps, Absence Of Menstruation or Menopausal Syndrome.
Qi And Blood Stagnation is often treated with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Peach Kernels - Tao Ren - as a key herb). Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Invigorates the Blood".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Qi Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Normal (light red)
When Liver Qi does not flow smoothly or regularly, it becomes Stagnant and in Excess. This leads to Heat accumulating in the Liver. The feeling of ‘Distension’ (zhang 胀) is the main symptom of Liver Qi Stagnation.
In addition to chest pain, other symptoms associated with Liver Qi Stagnation include abdominal pain, depression and irregular menstruation.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Liver Qi Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Mastitis or Breast Engorgement.
Liver Qi Stagnation is often treated with Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Bupleurum Roots - Chai Hu - as a key herb). Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that harmonize liver-spleen", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen".
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Vessel obstructed
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Knotted (Jie), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to chest pain, other symptoms associated with Heart Vessel obstructed include palpitations, depression and shortness of breath.
Heart Vessel obstructed is often treated with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Peach Kernels - Tao Ren - as a key herb). Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Invigorates the Blood".
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Phlegm
Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
The concept of Phlegm is much wider and important in Chinese Medicine than in the West. Broadly speaking, Phlegm is a substance produced when the body fails to handle Body Fluids properly.
In addition to chest pain, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include dizziness, palpitations and depression.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
Phlegm is often treated with Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Er Chen Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to chest pain, other symptoms associated with Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire include abdominal pain, dizziness and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps or Spontaneous Flow Of Breast Milk.
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is often treated with Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including White Peony Roots - Bai Shao - as a key herb). Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Pacifies the Liver".
Five herbal formulas that might help with chest pain
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Source date: 1830 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Expels Cold and warm the menstruation Blood. Stops pain. Invigorates Blood. Dispels Blood stagnation.
Why might Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang help with chest pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi And Blood Stagnation' of which chest pain is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Qi And Blood Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Source date: 1602
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood. Alleviates pain. Harmonizes Blood.
Why might Chai Hu Shu Gan San help with chest pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which chest pain is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Liver Qi Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Low Breast Milk Supply.
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Source date: 1830 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates the Blood. Dispels blood Stagnation. Spreads the Liver Qi. Unblocks the channels.
Why might Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang help with chest pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Vessel obstructed' of which chest pain is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Heart Vessel Obstructed include palpitations, depression and shortness of breath.
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Source date: 2002 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi.
Why might Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San help with chest pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire' of which chest pain is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire can contribute to many health issues, including Spontaneous Flow Of Breast Milk.
Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Source date: Qing Dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and relieves acute conditions of the Gallbladder. Relieves acute Damp-Heat syndromes. Resolves Phlegm. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang help with chest pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which chest pain is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Low Breast Milk Supply.
Acupuncture points used for chest pain
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat chest pain
Why might Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with chest pain?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat chest pain and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat chest pain as a symptom (such as Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang for instance).
Szechuan Lovage Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.
Why might Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) help with chest pain?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat chest pain and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat chest pain as a symptom (such as Chai Hu Shu Gan San for instance).
Bupleurum Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Harmonizes exterior and interior. Smoothes the Liver and upraises the Yang.
Why might Coco-Grass Rhizome (Xiang Fu) help with chest pain?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat chest pain and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat chest pain as a symptom (such as Wu Yao Tang for instance).
Coco-Grass Rhizomes is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter, Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Liver and the Sanjiao.
Its main actions are: Unblocks Stagnant Liver Qi and relieves pain. Regulates the Liver and Spleen. Assists the regulation of menses and relieves pain.
Why might Red Peony Root (Chi Shao) help with chest pain?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat chest pain and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat chest pain as a symptom (such as Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang for instance).
Red Peony Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood, relieves pain and reduces swelling. Cools the Blood and the Liver.
Why might Corydalis Tuber (Yan Hu Suo) help with chest pain?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat chest pain and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat chest pain as a symptom (such as Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang for instance).
Corydalis Tubers is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Heart, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Moves the Blood, breaks Blood Stagnation and reduces associated pain. Regulates Stagnant Qi and reduces associated pain.
Conditions associated with chest pain
Absence of menstruation Spontaneous flow of breast milk Low breast milk supply
Other symptoms often associated with chest pain
Abdominal pain Dizziness Amenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Insomnia Palpitations Depression Chest fullness Irregular menstruation Shortness of breath